International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management: Volume 38 Issue 1

An integrated HFMEA-DES model for performance improvement of general hospitals: A case study

M.M. Ershadi, M.J. Ershadi, S.T.A. Niaki

Healthcare failure mode and effect analysis (HFMEA) identifies potential risks and defines preventive actions to reduce the effects of risks. In addition, a discrete event…

Towards a high-performance HR bundle process for lean service operations

Araz Zirar, Clive Trusson, Alok Choudhary

This article presents an empirically induced “high-performance” “human resources (HR) bundle”, comprising six HR practices, for supporting lean service operations.

Manual spray painting process optimization using Taguchi robust design

Noura Almansoori, Samah Aldulaijan, Sara Althani, Noha M. Hassan, Malick Ndiaye, Mahmoud Awad

Researchers heavily investigated the use of industrial robots to enhance the quality of spray-painted surfaces. Despite its advantages, automating process is not always…

A decision-making model for the rework of defective products

João Cláudio Soares, Anabela Pereira Tereso, Sérgio Dinis Sousa

This paper proposes a decision support model that can be used to help decide the destination of defective products, for mass production industries. The objective of this model is…

Quality and lean practices synergies: A swift even flow perspective

George Onofrei, Brian Fynes, Hung Nguyen, Amir Hossein Azadnia

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between investments in quality and lean practices, and their impact on factory fitness. Using concepts originating in…

An integrated fuzzy framework for analyzing barriers to the implementation of continuous improvement in manufacturing

Madjid Tavana, Akram Shaabani, Naser Valaei

Delivering premium services and quality products are critical strategies for success in manufacturing. Continuous improvement (CI), as an underlying foundation for quality…

The impact of lean manufacturing practices on operational and financial performance: the mediating role of agile manufacturing

Meriem Khalfallah, Lassaad Lakhal

This empirical study aims to explore the link between lean manufacturing practices (total quality management, just-in-time production, just-in-time purchasing, total…

Let's get everyone involved! The effects of transformational leadership and organizational culture on organizational excellence

Flevy Lasrado, Rassel Kassem

This paper posited a dynamic relationship between transformational leadership, organizational culture, and organizational excellence in order to develop a better understanding of…

Product recall strategy in the supply chain: utility and culture

Dara Schniederjans, Mehrnaz Khalajhedayati

Product recalls have the potential to damage firm and consumer quality reputation. While globalization has brought about various economic benefits, expanding supply chain networks…

A robust multi response surface approach for optimization of multistage processes

Amir Moslemi, Mahmood Shafiee

In a multistage process, the final quality in the last stage not only depends on the quality of the task performed in that stage but is also dependent on the quality of the…

Maintenance downtime evaluation in a process bottling plant

Gerald Kenechukwu Inyiama, Sunday Ayoola Oke

Downtime is a process parameter that substantially impacts on the operating hours and results in production losses, thus motivating maintenance engineers to control process…

How relationship value and quality motivate positive word-of-mouth behaviour: Expressing the rules of reasoning in the Nigerian telecom market

Chukwunonso Oraedu

This paper explores the reasoning surrounding relationship value and quality, and further provides a blueprint on how positive word-of-mouth behaviour can be promoted through…

Developing a new BWM-based GMAFMA approach for evaluation of potential risks and failure modes in production processes

Milad Kolagar, Seyed Mohammad Hassan Hosseini, Ramin Felegari

Nowadays, the risk assessment and reliability engineering of various production processes have become an inevitable necessity. Because if these risks are not going to be evaluated…

Changes in communication patterns when implementing lean

Jorge Colazo

This paper explores the changes in communication patterns when companies implement lean, and how those changes relate to implementation success.

Confirmation of a measurement model for manufacturing flexibility development practices

Ruchi Mishra

The study aims to conceptualize and empirically develop an instrument to measure manufacturing flexibility development practices in firms.

Reducing medication errors using lean six sigma methodology in a Thai hospital: an action research study

Yaifa Trakulsunti, Jiju Antony, Mary Dempsey, Attracta Brennan

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the use of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and its associated tools to reduce dispensing errors in an inpatient pharmacy of a teaching hospital in…

Identification of barriers to synergistic implementation of TQM-SCM

Mandeep Kaur, Kanwarpreet Singh, Doordarshi Singh

The study aims at finding out major barriers for synergistic adoption of TQM-SCM in the medium- and large-scale manufacturing organizations in India. All these barriers create…

Reliability analysis of a steam boiler system by expert judgment method and best-fit failure model method: a new approach

Suyog Subhash Patil, Anand K. Bewoor

India's textile industries play a vital role in the Indian economy. These industries consume the highest thermal energy (steam power). The demand of the steam in process…